Opioid for use to reduce and/or drug addiction

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of treating drug addiction and reducing dependence or tolerance on a dependence-inducing opiate drug, wherein the method comprises administering to a subject a compound having the structure of formula (I): having the IUPAC name of (−)3-((S)-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)(3-thienyl)methyl)phenol, or pharmaceutically acceptable esters or salts thereof, wherein the compound has activity on the mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors thereby providing added analgesia with an improved therapeutic index and reduced risk of respiratory depression.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition to reduce tolerance of an opioid or opioid like comprising, the pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 (a) an opioid or an opioid like compound for treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of drug addiction or drug overdose; and   (b) an effective amount of a compound comprising the formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         (−)3-((S)-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)(3-thienyl)methyl)phenol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or esters thereof. 
       
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein opioid or an opioid like compound is selected from the group consisting of methadone, codeine, thebaine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, nicomorphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, alphamethylfentanyl, alfentanil, sufentanil, remifentanil, carfentanyl, ohmefentanyl, nocaine, pethidine (meperidine), ketobemidone, MPPP, allylprodine, prodine, PEPAP, propoxyphene, dextropropoxyphene, dextromoramide, bezitramide, piritramide, methadone, dipipanone, levo-alphacetylmethadol (LAAM), loperamide, diphenoxylate, pentazocine, phenazocine, buprenorphine, etorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, levorphanol, levomethorphan, dezocine, lefetamine, tilidine, tramadol, propoxyphene, or oxycodone.